Deacon Servants

1 Timothy 3:8-13    
8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. 10 But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. 11 Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Servants chosen and designated in the church as “table waiters” are those tasked with meeting needs, such as the precursors  in Acts 6:2-3.  These were to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom as spiritually equipped, and that is defined further here.  Deacons should have a holy attitude, honest, self controlled with alcohol and money, and both know and live doctrine well.  They are to be examined and tested to see what kind of men they are to be certain they are not offensive or set ungodly examples in behavior.  These must be faithful to their wives and families in an orderly headship role also.  Even their wives are to be holy in conduct, not gossiping slanderers, self controlled, and faithful to God and man as well.  Deacons who so serve God and the church not only stand out as godly examples, but also find boldness to bear witness to the faith they live by as they flesh it out in ministry.